Rhodes mk7 and mk2 comparison (basic tone)

[@VintageGearFreak]

I admire the effort of restarting the Rhodes factory. I never expected them to get everything 100% right after restarting production after this many years. It takes time. I've played a Mark 7 and liked it alot. I thought it was nearly _too_ clean for my taste (I like bit of grit in my Rhodes sound). A Mark 7 with midi is definitely something I'm considering as it would cut down on space in my studio, give me a more than decent Rhodes sound and a lot more stuff.

[@etpslick100]

They BOTH sound great! Mk 7 a little brighter, but still has the bark.😌👍🏾

[@goldphinga]

The mk2 is now sold..so I now own a mk7 and a mk1 suitcase..very happy indeed!

[@goldphinga]

Oh thanks so much for your compliment!! Really nice that...You cant help being negative it seems. How about seeing good in things instead? The thing is, im not trying to compete with anyone. And this was the state of the piano months ago before i worked my magic on it. Now its leagues ahead.

[@philtowers1392]

Pro playing geezer- and thanks for taking the time to do the comparison. We do need more vids that challenge web wisdom. I think I prefer the mk2 for tone, but you're hammering it. I'm also basing it on low quality sound from your phone, plus years of hearing George duke, michael Naura etc playing the mk2. That alone creates huge confirmation bias!

[@TheMetalMusicMachine]

Nice rhodes voicing!!! Just the sweet spot!... I love that bark and that "off pitched" release noise when the note stops and the damper tries hard to stop the fork resonating...

[@Zeupater]

I think some people, without realizing it, might be missing the sound of the action from older electric pianos. The MK7 has a newer type of action; it's much quieter. Some people might be mistaking that for sounding smaller. Either way, right away it was clear to me the bass sound of the MK7 was much bigger and rounder. I certainly appreciate the video. It proves to me the MK7 is at least a contender. Especially having MIDI, it looks and sounds like my personal choice. Right now I prefer the MK7 but I don't think I can really tell without a blind A/B recording -- without the action of the MKII bleeding through.

[@robertdoerr5582]

I've got to say, I started learning about Rhodes, Fender Rhodes, or whatever if you will 2 years ago. I will give critics this particular grain, it's all about the same really. The whole concept was for it to be an electric tine piano or celesta. That's why I love them so much. The reason I love the old "Fender Rhodes" is because of the electronic components. Just like how many guitarists revere the old fender tube amps and with good reason. Same as for a Rhodes. The Fender amps of the cbs era were what gave "the original" Rhodes sound in the first place. Yeah the tines have been over the years changed up abit as well as the construction and me personally, I'm not a fan of the MK2, but I know that now it's down to a science and coming back pretty strong. I for one have been skeptical about the newer MK7's, But great job on shedding light on the mk7 because it has a very robust sound like those of the old school. Those are a unique instrument yet perhaps a pain in the neck to maintain (which is why I believe stems most of the unwanted criticism) I just hate it when I hear something good only for someone to say "oh that isn't one of the good rhodes sounds" blah blah blah blah and whatever they say with the "Steely Dan" reference. I've gotta try both the vintage vibe classic and the regular MK7 without the midi to make a informative decision but I will say I have tried out a 1973 stage through a Fender Super Reverb and it sounded fantastic. Thank you for for posting this to give me a good idea.

[@joshuajenkins3248]

I like that mechanical sound on mark 2 better. But other then that, the mark 7 sounds just like the mark 2 but more modern. I would like both them equally if the mark 7 had that same mechanical sound.

[@karlhaese7183]

Thank you!

[@Keyboardman88]

I've played a Rhodes since 1977. I have stage and suitcase models MK I's The Mk2 has a nice warmth that the Mk 7 doesn't...at least to my ears.

[@javiceres]

Keyboardman88 May be the mechanical noises

[@goldphinga]

I've adjusted the escapement on this Rhodes since this vid, its a lot better now, in fact it's spot on. The factory setting was too small..now its great across the range. I don't agree that the tines lack tone...Its a DIFFERENT tone but equally as valid as the old ones. I have the mk7 next to my 72 suitcase in the studio and both sound equally as good in their own ways. But the mk7 active pre, balanced outs and midi are killer. And you can dial in any tone with the eq which is very musical

[@goldphinga]

Well there is no definitive experience- its all personal. I've equally done plenty of old Rhodes that sound infinitely worse than my mk7. my experience with the 7 is that it voices just like any other decent Rhodes piano. the tone is all there, its played consistently for the last 2 months under pressure, I like the tines and dynamics and playability. I actually had it voiced for a time in the shallow voicing mode as you describe and it sounded great but now ive voiced it for max extreme dynam

[@goldphinga]

Dude, you know nothing about where im at with this mk7!! This was posted months ago when i just got it and hadnt finished pimping it out. Since then i put in new hammer tips to my own custom ranges, changed escapement as factory was too shallow, revoiced, installed a new preamp, all new damper arms, new felts, new bass end shim, levelled all the key heights as some were off from the factory, replaced 5 tines that werent to the standard i like and now im getting it rehoused in a tough light case.

[@BenoitHenriot]

Missing that hammer sound on the new one.. great work, thank you!

[@Fluxwithit]

A bit more bark on the mk2 , mk7 has a very cool tone about it. I've got a mk2 88 that I'm working on now (just did the hammer tips last night) . You can vary the tone so much just by moving a few parts around, I could definetly imaging having a mk2 sound more like that mk7 and vice versa... all in set up. I think both sound fantastic

[@fregot]

I agree it sounds great, and your chops are the bomb as usual. Just wanted to shed some light on a wider perspective of the Mk7. I've worked on them for 5 years, and was even offered to work for them. Now the company is for sale..........

[@nicebluejay]

i like them both, now there is a concept! =) LOL

[@rush2795]

how dare you! pick ONE

[@goldphinga]

Yeah the costs must be astronomical. but surely somebody out there has the passion and knowledge to make it work...I think an official statement is coming from RMC this month.

[@VintageGearFreak]

Thanks for the tips. I forgot to mention the key dip feels excessive, it is more than 3/8" as far as I can tell.

[@chaosunleashedband]

straight from the harp, into a mixer with equal gain / no eq, out of this mackie speaker... and straight into my phone speaker... perfect comparison :)

[@rymixxx]

Awesome. Would be interested to learn which one you tend to after some time.

[@goldphinga]

@wildporc. What era tines do you think are the finest? I like the fact different eras have different characters.

[@pcmichel1]

Now this is an example of a really useful video, instead of all the nonsense going around on the internet - thank you for this comparison! Good job.

[@goldphinga]

Of course all opinions are valid. It's all our own experiences and people should know as broad range of opinions as possible. would be dull if we all thought the same. But let's not forget, old Rhodes are no golden ticket!! i hope someone buys RMC and mk7s continue in production.

[@fregot]

Me too, Dan! And hopefully adds resources to improve the quality of the essential parts, and maybe customer relations........

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Based on this performance, I would take either. Especially since the MK7 is also a MIDI controller. The engineers scored with this remake, and I wish it could've stayed on the market. (It doesn't hurt that you're a skillful and consistent keyboard player.)

[@goldphinga]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@lundsweden]

Its Rhodes, the only pity is that they stopped making them. We're very unlikely to see a Mk. 8. Edit: I was wrong, MK 8 coming soon!

[@jaredini]

Only ever played my '80 mk2 stage. Sounds fine to me.

[@goldphinga]

A Wurli would be even more difficult to reproduce perhaps? maybe not! so do you think the chances of Rhodes being made again is slim?

[@goldphinga]

Maybe us Rhodes scholars could initiate a group buy! who would u like to see buy the company? who could do it justice? Yamaha? Steinway? Vintage Vibe? Korg?

[@i-new7096]

Thanks for review!!

[@VintageGearFreak]

Care to elaborate a little on what problems the '79 may be seeing? This one has a clear tone and a long sustain but it's not "barky" and there is a minimum amount of dynamics. The tone does not change much from a light strike to a heavy one. The volume responds though. Maybe I'm just used to my 1974 Mark 1 which has a lot more heavy action but feels more dynamic. (sorry to Goldphinga for hijacking the thread, if you feel this is OT feel free to delete my posts).

[@experimentalelectronica5016]

MK 1! Amazing chops though!

[@1970piano]

i find the mk7 better. i have a mark 2 and i find it difficult to get the right sound (for me) out of it in the higher octaves. You play so great, too bad you live not in germany so i could take lessons by you! ;-)

[@fregot]

When I talk about a wider spectrum, I mean the way it behaves in a shallow voicing, and how it stands out next to a grand the way Bojan Z works. The most frustrating aspect however, is when a Mk7 has started acting funny, and it just falls apart in front of you. If it plays, just leave it! As soon as you start to fiddle, strange things happen, I'm afraid.

[@pianomikeoct]

I like the sound of the Mark 2 better , it has a more softer Rhodes sound . Does your Mark 2 have wood or plastic keys, I have a 73 Rhodes Suitcase piano , I think its from 1981 or 82 , Ill have to check but it has plastic keys and people say they are not as good as the ones with the wood keys ,any thoughts on that , I need to get mine overhauled.

[@goldphinga]

Hey Freddan. But how could you not want the most dynamic sound from soft to bark? This Mk7 will voice like my mk1 and 2 easily, anything ive asked from it has been possible. I think ive gone way further with this piano than many have. RMC totally revised the damper design and thats what i now have installed, i also have new felts, my own hammer tip ranges (not stock) low noise preamp..it's been well gone over. When i run through the preamp it sounds amazing too..What will die? Can you clarify?D

[@goldphinga]

Thanks man, appreciate it!

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

Mk2 is grittier, yet has a more mellow sound. More pleasing to my taste

[@goldphinga]

Yeah the Mk2 was in need of some TLC and i sorted it out after the time i made this vid.

[@aaimginggraphics2411]

that mark 7 sound was like POW!....lol

[@fregot]

Shallow is when the tine is in line with the pickup, just like hwo Chick Corea and Esbjörn Svensson liked it, It puts a demand on each note to bark and sustain extremely like a Dyno. Not possible on a Mk7

[@marciojardim8318]

Hi, indeed Fender Rhodes mark 7 is a great Piano with a huge pedigree... I just have a question, active midi means that you can play with different sound... that why is some way it’s a Hybrid... the question is does it play MIDI SMF, can we use a usb flash drive our we need to connect some other device to play MIDI... does it’s have any soundboard GM GS... Best regards from Portugal

[@VintageGearFreak]

Wildporc, I'm sure you are the bee's knees when it comes to tech, but who are you? Got any videos up? Quite interested in your work now. Goldphinga is out there with his name and I think you could be more transparent with who you are especially when claiming to be the better tech. Btw, I'd love to have either of you have a look at my 1979 Mark 1 which I'm having trouble getting dynamics out of.

[@goldphinga]

And..its got tonnes of treble to it as well..I dont understand how you can say it cant compete..I mean this Mk7 was so badly setup when i got it and now it sounds amazing, its been sounding like this for 2 months now and ive really given it a thrashing..You cant get a wider tone spectrum than from very soft to max bark can you!! What do you mean by wider tone spectrum?

[@goldphinga]

Hey Freddan. But how do you mean they die exactly? And also what tone do most of your customers want then that u feel cant be gotten? Very interested to know...peace dan

[@charlinsko]

Bots Great! Which Amp?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Weren't the mk7's built out of the USA and had quality control issues??

[@goldphinga]

I never heard the MKv tines described as thin..but if so whats the difference between a V and aVII? Same action, both got thin tines (your words not mine). I dont get what the issue is with the VII as like you say its a V in a different case. Ill admit the V is in a better designed case. Thats why i want to take my VII and put it in a new case...

[@goldphinga]

What's shallow voicing- do you mean pickups backed off? Tines set at mostly fundamental?

[@fregot]

Dan! You've just done one, and I've done 15 Mk7's, and to tell you the truth, the tone you're aiming for is the easiest one that you can get on any Rhodes. With no treble and just an ambition to get a bark, there's no real challenge. The Mk7 dies on you with time, I'm afraid, and when trying to get the whole spectrum of voicings, it cannot compete. Please do a few more, use a wider tone spectrum and see if you shrae my experience! Freddan

[@regmonmusic]

Hey Dan, Thank you so much for doing this! R

[@costasaroniadis3376]

I dont understand why so many people write only bad comments about..the mark7...the mark7 my opinion is one of the best....the sound is so simiral to the other oldest models..and why must have the same sound..?

[@karlhaese7183]

Mk2 not as muffled-seems like much more mids-though the EQ's on the Mackie is the same for both. I played on the MK7 in Amsterdam in a musics shop and wasn't that impressed compared to my 1974 "suitacse"88. But that's my own opinion. BTW: you play very impressive!

[@kayvon_is_likes]

Just a quick one to say I actually prefer the sound of the mk7 here!

[@MrWorldclassmusician]

Sounds pretty close, prefer the mark ii though, can't really hear anything I don't like of the mark vii.

[@wimpisan]

Love Mark ll

[@burricanecarter]

great video. i'm no expert, but to me the mk7 sounds a bit brighter and cleaner and the mk7 a bit warmer. do you think you might be able to pull off the mk2 sound out of mk7 with some eqing?

[@karlhaese7183]

no

[@fregot]

I think the need for more Wurlis and ´Hohners is much bigger than for new Rhodes. If you really want one, there are thousands used available.

[@marioanselmoruiz2840]

Hola donde hay un técnico que pueda hacer un servivio ténico em mi fender Rhodes agrdecere el dato gracias !!!

[@goldphinga]

where abouts are you based?

[@maxauto44e]

question is, which one is cheaper?

[@fregot]

On some Mk7's I've tried to fix, there's been no remedie. After trying changing ALL the parts and ALL the tricks, I've had to settle for a compromise I do NOT like and leave it half-done. That is NOT how I do it on Rhodes pianos. Thereäs always a solution, since nparts and materials are not compromised out of lack of funds or competence. They just do not play like an original. My Mk7 customers have had to settle for this, and I have done shitloads of hours for free .....

[@JeremyBorumComposer]

Thanks for this.

[@jetinny]

Rumor has it they releasin the Mk7 soon!

[@BennieTarrMusic]

The old one definitely sounds better.

[@goldphinga]

how do you define 'better'? They are both great but different like all eras of Rhodes, in the flesh the MK7 sounds every bit as sweet as the MK2. In fact, on every gig i take it on the engineers always remark on how its the best sounding Rhodes they've ever heard!! Not one person ever said that about my MK2, as much as I loved it. :)

[@ChristianBurrola]

By better he means that you can really dig into the MK2 without it sounding like it's farting unlike the MK7.

[@karlhaese7183]

HALLELUJA!

[@AJSalasMusic]

Any rhodes with enough love can sound exactly how you want it to. they both sound great, but the 1973 MKI will always resonate with me.

[@slousada]

i agree!! i have my 1973 MK1 !

[@javiceres]

Your statement sounds a bit contradictory to me ...

[@Harpiano]

Mk2 sounds more coloful, Mk7 has round sound, just to my ears.

[@goldphinga]

Well, theres not much in it. I got my Mk7 WITH Midi for £1500...Mk2's like mine with Janus controls go for a similar price.

[@fregot]

I love your tone, but it is the easiest one to get from any Rhodes. Since I do approx 2-3 Rhodes a week since a few decades back, I instantly get the feel of what is possible, and out of the 15 Mk7's I've done, 10 have been inferior to any old Rhodes. It's just a matter of RMC not trying hard enough. Yours might be a pearl. Be happy, but I would be very careful to jump to conclusions from one single instrument if I were you.

[@fregot]

Think it sounds great, and since I'm a deep fan of your style, I know exactly what you're after. It is still the easiest tone to get from any Rhodes. My vast network of customers wants a completely different tone and response, Imossible to tweak in some directions. Out of the 15 I've done, 5 was acceptable, 5 ok in a limited scope and 5 hopeless. Artists who tried to tour the States with Mk7's have experienced the same thing. They die. Too cheap material. Peace, love and understanding! F

[@chieftp]

this is why most companies never think about trying to reissue something from the past. everyone will be of the opinion that the new version isn't as good.

[@goldphinga]

A lot of companies do though. Prophet 6> prophet 5. Voyager>Minimoog for starters. It can be difficult and you get people saying the news not as good as the old but there are always great advantages to the new versions. The old are still very relevant too.

[@chieftp]

JD73's World 2 is not a lot.

[@SPAZZOID100]

JD73's World prophet-6 is good but my prophet-5 kills it in warmth!!

[@freebreeze9042]

Vintage Vibe pianos have a warmer tone to them then both of these models. I think this combined with the lighter weight will prevent the mk7 from coming back. It's been years and nothing. Vintage Vibe pianos have the original Rhodes soul in the tone, much more so then these two later model Rhodes. If the clank is there, you got to have some mids to compensate. I think this demo perfectly demonstrates the lack of mids.

[@theelectrio8270]

Vintage vibe pianos are great but they don't sound exactly like a Rhodes- they are their own unique thing. Ps I don't feel there's mids lacking from either of these pianos, some folks are obsessed with early vs late Rhodes tone, I love them all! I have a 1972 suitcase 2 so I know the tone of all Rhodes eras well.

[@freebreeze9042]

Except late '71. This is the best era. The tines on the mk2/mk7 lack mids, it' not an opinion, It's reality. If there is one thing to obsessed about, it's tone. The early 70's pianos are better for tone. I know Rhodes tone as well as anyone, if not more so. After a while, the later tone produces listening fatigue. Take a '73 for example. It always sounds milky warm no matter how long you play it. It's the top choice for Steely Dan for good reason.

[@alexriesenbeck]

Yuck! the detuned 'bark' of the Mk7 turns me off right away... I'll stick with my '73 Mk1 :) Thanks for the video!

[@goldphinga]

I'm not sure what you mean by detuned bark!

[@robertdoerr5582]

Cubilas, may you please elaborate on what you mean by "detuned bark"? I'm quite curious!

[@alexriesenbeck]

After listening again, I must have had potatoes in my ears... The Mk7 sounds okay, but I still prefer the sound of the MkI & MkII series.

[@karlhaese7183]

AMEN!

[@Icybearg]

Pretty much the same in my opinion but they're great anyway!

[@freebreeze9042]

When you tried vintage tines in your mk7 did you use Raymacs or the very early Torringtons? Did you do whole octaves or replace them all? Did you find they break easily? Your mark 1 sounds like a regular '72 with second generation Torringtons, not the better first generation Torringtons. So when is the mk7 coming back like you suggest?

[@MarcEtienneHUNEAU]

Free Breeze his mark I is a Mark II. That’s why.

[@FrankDeruyck]

Mark 2 slightly more "nasal" and slightly "rounder".....hell how to describe sound! Difficult. Very close indeed.

[@vistacruiser70s]

There you go, through a Peterson cab . That should help. By the way, you seem to love calling out people for being "negative", like it's your thing. I guess I don't look for the negativity like you do. Wishing for someone to bring back the mk1a is silly I guess. I will give you that, it's a pipe dream. On another note, I have had several mkv's and liked them for sure, but it never took long to get tired of them. The more I played them, the more clanky they got and made to turn back the my '71. But that's gone now too so I guess I need to find me another like it. I still have a '72 but that late '71 tone just can't be topped. One thing I like about the '72 - 75 Rhodes is that I could mod the action to my liking. But that has nothing to do with this video so I will stop.

[@jewishman3406]

This is no way to compare. Only in person could you ever hope compare. The problem with bringing the mk7 back is now is VV has a piano that puts the mk7 to shame and it's much lighter as well. The mk7 would benefit from late '71 style tines (even better than VV tines) but we know that's probably not going to happen. It's shame Branstetter put so many people off, the mk7 is finished.

[@goldphinga]

There is a way to compare and you can see exactly that in this video though i dont go massively in depth. I'm in a good position to tell it how it actually is and not some supposition that most folks on here come up with regurgitating hearsay and unfounded negativity. The MK7 tines are actually great- Ive tested many different tines in the 7 including nos 77, new VV tines and 71/72 tines and the MK7 tines still sound great. I've also gone to town on my mk7 action which is now the fastest and most dynamic rhodes ive ever played or owned.. very low escapement but without tine blocking or thunking, plus ive made my own hammer tip ranges too and custom shaped tips. I love my mk7 as much as my 80 mk2 and my 72 suitcase. The mk7 isnt finished...not by a long shot! I feel lucky to own one. Let put all this negative BS to bed please.

[@funkeety]

Mk7 sounds more "electronic" n warm, in my opinion

[@homeone4054]

Great to have a Rhodes with midi. You could hook it up to a DX7 and play that lovely FMTines patch... ...just joking :-) Mk7 sounds great.

[@i-new7096]

M7 for me

[@goldphinga]

Its time for him to reveal himself, until he does that its all just hearsay. I suspect who he his, and if it is who i think then he knows the tech side well but he's not a playerAND a tech and with that comes a whole different set of setup criteria. Anyway until he does, its just hearsay..I said to contact me off here for a friendly chat between techs but he isnt responding. Until he posts setup tips and sees that sharing knowledge is more powerful than holding it in, he risks looking foolish

[@sibariba]

MK2 way better!!!

[@Muzikman127]

while this was an interesting video: a side by side recorded by a camera's internal mic is pretty meaningless. You can hear the difference in voicing between them, but without hearing all the overtones, the "sparkle", it's really impossible to actually evaluate whether the mk 7 has a good sound or not. You could put a midi keyboard rhodes in this video and it'd sound comparable.

[@karlhaese7183]

trust me, I played on the MK7 in Amsterdam. What a disappointment. I'm keeping my 1974 MK1 "suitcase88" BY FAR superior

[@vistacruiser70s]

I don't think people here are being negative as much as you would like to believe. The Rhodes mk7 isn't being built anymore, it's finished. This is fact, nothing negative like you are reading it. It wont come back that's for sure. Vintage Vibe has it beat as well. Also, in person, the mk7 sounds as you would think....too bright with not enough mids in the tines, custom hammer tip voicing notwithstanding, an honest opinion many people share. If only they would have focused on what put Rhodes on top....the mk1a: The Herbie Rhodes. This type of Rhodes would still be being made if that would have been the case. I am talking the very first generation of Torrington tines, not the kind Vintage Vibe is making. So many people crave that first gen Torrington sound (not talking '72 tines) that if he would have gone down that road, there would have been no need for this "mk7". The majority of people want the first mk1a sound. It's just the truth.

[@goldphinga]

Well you're being quite negative again vista! You might think the 7 isn't coming back but you might just be surprised my friend! Ps love the vintage vibe but it's not a Rhodes- it's it's own thing and that's great. In a blind test I did most folks thought it sounded like a Rhodes/wurli hybrid but it depends on the voicing but yeah it's it's own thing. Anyway, I love my mk7 it's the real deal. A proper Rhodes. I own one and have extensive knowledge of it unlike most folks commenting here and I play and record with it on many records and its the business especially running through my Peterson suitcase cab.

[@SPAZZOID100]

vistacruiser70s i prefer the suitcase model that Stevie used on his albums in the early to mid 70's. Was that a mk1???

[@karlhaese7183]

quite he opposite-the Mk5 LACKS the mids and the "initial sqeak/twang" which the MK2 does have!

[@fregot]

I've tried to influence all I know, but it kinda boils down to the hopelessness of manufacturing an electro-mechanical instrument in the western world within reasonable cost. Tried to tell Joe 10 years ago.....................

[@reeltorealtor1992]

7 sounds more tinny to me

[@TheFossie12]

Here's a thought... imagine when Steven Slate gets to digitally duplicate the algorithms, wave-forms & nuances of a M1 Rhodes and make it available as a plugin - to play on any reasonable keyboard.....He's proven he can do it eg in the vintage mic world.....Prob only a matter of tine...

[@goldphinga]

come on then share the knowledge then...? how do you make custom tips? shave them? soak them in something? I'd like to know...but at the moment you just spout that you know all this stuff but have provided ZERO evidence that your opinion holds any weight. If i knew who you were ( i know all the Rhodes techs with a good rep) then i could take you seriously but right now you arent helping things with the i know everything but give nothing attitude!

[@goldphinga]

Question.Who are you?I have my suspicions! Look, I REALLY know them too.I too can get a feel in an instant. And i know there is always a higher level but show me you can do that and show me that you are for real. Until you post evidence its very easy to develop an internet persona to convince people that you are all knowing but it comes off as unsubstantiated arrogance. Show me a piano you've tech'd audio/vid. Can you discuss in an adult manner without throwing your weight around? Prove yourself